FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to pipe machining apparatuses and, more
particularly, to pipe machining apparatuses for machining large diameter pipes, and
even more particularly to a pipe machining apparatus according to the preamble of
claim 1. The present disclosure also relates to a method of mounting a pipe machining
apparatus according to the preamble of claim 9.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A variety of different types of pipe machining apparatuses exist to perform various
machining processes on pipes. One such process includes cutting pipes. Large diameter
pipes may be cut with a split frame pipe machining apparatus, which includes two frame
halves that surround the pipe from respective sides and are coupled together around
the pipe. Such a pipe machining apparatus includes a cutting tool that encircles the
pipe and moves toward the pipe in small increments during a cutting process in order
to slowly cut into the pipe. Eventually, after many small increments of adjustment
toward the pipe, the pipe will be completely cut.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to the invention, there is provided a pipe machining apparatus defined
by the features of claim 1 and a method of mounting a pipe machining apparatus defined
by the features of claim 9. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims
1-8 and 10-14.
[0005] Such an apparatus includes a frame capable of being mounted onto a pipe, a tool carrier
coupled to and movable relative to the frame, a tool support coupled to and movable
with the tool carrier relative to the frame, and a laser line generator tool mounted
on and movable with the tool support, the laser line generator tool being capable
of imaging a laser light onto the pipe, wherein the laser line generator tool comprises
a housing that defines a centerline and a laser line generator that defines a centerline,
the centerline of the laser line generator being offset from the centerline of the
housing.
[0006] The laser line generator tool is used to image a laser light onto the pipe to align
with a mark(s) on the pipe which denotes a proper cut line around the pipe. The apparatus
can be repositioned relative to the pipe in order to enable an operator to properly
position the apparatus on the pipe prior to a cutting operation.
[0007] The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims and is
not affected by the statements within this summary.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and
description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis
instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 depicts a top front perspective view of an exemplary pipe machining apparatus
coupled to a pipe having a laser line generator tool mounted thereon;
FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the pipe machining apparatus, with a portion thereof
broken away to show internal components of the pipe machining apparatus;
FIG. 3 depicts a front view of an exemplary tool support of the pipe machining apparatus,
with the tool support illustrated in an engaged position;
FIG. 4 depicts a top front perspective view of the tool support of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 depicts an exploded top front perspective view of the tool support of FIG.
3;
FIG. 6 depicts a front plan view of the tool support of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 7 depicts a top front perspective view of the laser line generator tool.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown one exemplary embodiment of a pipe
machining apparatus 20 adapted to machine pipes P of varying diameters. In some exemplary
embodiments, the apparatus 20 completely cuts through the pipe P. In other exemplary
embodiments, the apparatus 20 prepares an end of a pipe P for coupling to another
pipe. In still other exemplary embodiments, the apparatus 20 both completely cuts
and prepares a pipe P for coupling to another pipe.
[0010] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 20 is formed of two joined-together
semicircular sections 24A, 24B and includes a frame 28 and a tool carrier 32. The
two sections 24A, 24B together comprise the frame 28 and the tool carrier 32 such
that a first portion of the frame 28 and a first portion of the tool carrier 32 is
included in one section 24A and a second portion of the frame 28 and a second portion
of the tool carrier 32 is included in the other section 24B. The frame 28 has a column
36 extending outwardly of the two semicircular sections 24A, 24B and houses a pinion
gear 40 adapted to couple with a suitable drive motor 44, such as an air motor with
suitable gear reduction means. The frame 28 is adapted to couple and be fixed relative
to a pipe P, and the tool carrier 32 is rotatable relative to the fixed frame 28 and
the pipe P. The motor 44 is adapted to rotate the tool carrier 32 relative to the
frame 28 through a gear train in the column 36. The tool carrier 32 has a circular
gear rack 56 for meshing with the pinion gear 40 rotatably mounted in column 36. The
pinion gear 40 has an opening 60 provided with a polygonal perimeter for receiving
a complementary shaped drive head 64 of drive motor 44. Therefore, it can be seen
that drive motor 44 is adapted to rotate tool carrier 32 relative to the frame 28
through a gear train provided by pinion gear 40 in column 36 and circular gear rack
56 on the tool carrier 32.
[0011] The rotatable tool carrier 32 includes one or more tool supports 48 (two tool supports
shown in the illustrated exemplary embodiment). One of the tool supports 48 is used
to initially support a laser line generator tool 300 for allowing an operator cutting
the pipe to properly place the pipe machining apparatus 20 on the pipe P. Once the
apparatus 20 is properly placed on the pipe P, the operator removes the laser line
generator tool 300. Thereafter, the operator inserts cutting or machining tools 52
into the tool supports 48 for performing a cutting or machining operation on the pipe
P as the tools 52 rotate circumferentially about the pipe P in a known manner. The
machining operation performed by the cutting or machining tool(s) 52 may form a straight
edge perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the pipe P, a bevel on an end of the
pipe P that is transverse to the longitudinal extend of the pipe P and at an angle
other than ninety degrees, or an edge of a pipe P having any angle.
[0012] The tool carrier 32 is rotatably mounted on and supported by frame 28 by a plurality
of roller bearings 72. The roller bearings 72 ride in a circular bearing race 76 on
the interior of tool carrier 32.
[0013] A plurality of projections 80 are adjustably movable into and out of a path of an
advancement member 84 coupled to each tool support 48 to advance the cutting or machining
tool 52 toward the pipe P. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the apparatus
20 includes a total of two projections 80 for engaging the advancement members 84,
however, the apparatus 20 may include any number of projections 80. Each projection
80 is coupled to a lever 88 that may be actuated by a user to selectively move the
projection 80 into and out of the path of the advancement members 84.
[0014] The apparatus 20 further includes four adjustable clamp members or coupling members
68 engageable with an exterior of the pipe P and having suitable adjustability to
couple and concentrically locate the apparatus 20 to the pipe P when the laser line
generator tool 300 is being used as described herein.
[0015] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the tool support 48 of the tool carrier 32 in more detail. The
tool support 48 includes a base 92, a worm gear assembly 108 fixedly coupled to the
base 92, a drive coupling 112 engageable with the worm gear assembly 108, a feed screw
96 rotatably coupled to the worm gear assembly 108, and a tool clamp 100 movably mounted
on the feed screw 96 and slidable on the base 92. The tool clamp 100 is adapted to
support the laser line generator tool 300 or the cutting or machining tool 52. The
advancement member 84 is coupled to the drive coupling 112.
[0016] The base 92 has a first planar surface 92a, a second opposite surface 92b, inner
and outer edges 92c, 92d extending between the first and second surfaces 92a, 92b,
and side edges 92e extending between the first and second surfaces 92a, 92b. The inner
edge 92c is arcuate to match the shape of the pipe P. A pair of spaced apart guide
rails 202 extend outwardly from the first surface 92a and extend from the inner edge
92c to the outer edge 92d. A passageway 94 is defined between the rails 202. Each
guide rail 202 is L-shaped having a first leg 201 and a second leg 203 which is perpendicular
to the first leg 201, such that a recess 204 is formed by each guide rail 202. The
recesses 204 extend along the length of the base 92 from the inner edge 92c to the
outer edge 92d. The recesses 204 face each other and communicate with the passageway
94.
[0017] The tool clamp 100 is formed of an inner housing 206 and an outer housing 208. The
inner housing 206 seats within the passageway 94 on the first surface 92a of the base
92 and engages with the rails 202. The outer housing 208 mates with the inner housing
206.
[0018] The inner housing 206 is generally U-shaped and has a base wall 210, a first wall
212 extending outwardly from the base wall 210, and a second wall 214 extending outwardly
from the base wall 210. The first and second walls 212, 214 are spaced apart from
each other such that a passageway 216 is defined by the base wall 210 and the first
and second walls 212, 214, which passageway 216 extends from an inner end 206a of
the inner housing 206 to an outer end 206b of the inner housing 206. The first wall
212 has a threaded passageway 218 extending therethrough, which threaded passageway
218 extends parallel to the passageway 216. The second wall 214 has a threaded passageway
220 extending therethrough, which threaded passageway 220 extends transverse, or substantially
transverse, to the passageways 216, 218. Each wall 212, 214 has a recess 222 on its
outer free end 212a, 214a. Each wall 212, 214 further has a recess 224 which forms
a keyway on its outer surface 212b, 214b and which is proximate to its outer end 212a,
214a for accepting the outer housing 208.
[0019] The outer housing 208 is generally U-shaped and has a base wall 226, a first wall
228 extending inwardly from the base wall 226, and a second wall 228 extending inwardly
from the base wall 226. The first and second walls 228, 230 are spaced apart from
each other such that a passageway 232 is defined by the base wall 226 and the first
and second walls 228, 230, which passageway 232 extends from an inner end 208a of
the outer housing 208 to an outer end 208b of the outer housing 208. The base wall
226 has a pair of protrusions 227 extending from the inner surface 226a and extending
into the passageway 232. Each of the first and second walls 228, 230 have a key 234
on its inner surface and for sliding along the recesses 224 of the inner housing 206.
The keys 234 are smaller than the recesses 224 such that spaces 236 are provided when
the outer housing 208 is assembled with the inner housing 206. The base wall 226 has
a threaded passageway 238 extending therethrough, which threaded passageway 238 extends
transverse, or substantially transverse, to the passageway 232, such that the threaded
passageway 238 extends from an outer side 226b to the inner side 226a of the base
wall 226.
[0020] The worm gear assembly 108 seats on the first surface 92a of the base 92 and engages
with the drive coupling 112. The feed screw 96 extends inwardly toward inner edge
92c. The inner housing 206 seats on the first surface 92a of the base 92 between the
guide rails 202. Edge portions of the base 210 of the inner housing 206 engage into
the recesses 204. The feed screw 96 threadedly engages with the passageway 218 in
the inner housing 206 to mate the inner housing 206 with the worm gear assembly 108.
The outer housing 208 mates with the inner housing 206 by the keys 234 sliding into
and along the recesses 224. The protrusions 227 engage within the recesses 222 to
prevent the separation of the inner housing 206 from the outer housing 208 once assembled.
The protrusions 227 may be provided on the walls 212, 214 and the recesses 222 provided
on the base wall 226. The passageways 216, 232 align with each other to form a cavity
240.
[0021] A set screw 242 is inserted through the passageway 220 in the inner housing 206 and
is capable of extending into the cavity 240 upon rotation of the set screw 242. A
set screw 246 is inserted through the passageway 238 in the outer housing 208 and
is capable of extending into the cavity 240 upon rotation of the set screw 246.
[0022] The tool support 48 is coupled to the tool carrier 32 by one or more coupling members
116 (two shown in the exemplary illustrated embodiment) and is adjustable relative
to the pipe P to bring the arcuate inner edge 92c of the base 92 into contact with
or in close proximity to an outer periphery of the pipe P. The tool clamp 100 is movable
along the feed screw 96 toward and away from the pipe P (depending on the direction
of feed screw rotation). The feed screw 96 can have a variety of different tooth shapes,
sizes, pitches, and configurations in order to provide a desired amount of movement
of the cutting or machining tool 52 during use of the apparatus 20. The drive coupling
112 is coupled to the feed screw 96 and is engageable with the worm gear assembly
108 to transfer rotation of the worm gear assembly 108 to the feed screw 96. A tool
coupling 128 such as, for example, a nut, is coupled to an end of the feed screw 96,
thereby providing a location where a tool may couple to and rotate the feed screw
96 as desired.
[0023] Cutting or machining tools 52 are known in the art.
[0024] The laser line generator tool 300 includes a laser line generator 302 and a housing
304. Laser line generators 302 are known in the art. The housing 304 may conform in
shape to the cavity 240. As shown, the housing 304 includes an inner wall 304a, an
outer wall 304b and side walls 304c, 304d, 304e, 304f extending between the inner
and outer walls 304a, 304b. A passageway 306 extends through the housing 304 from
the inner wall 304a to the outer wall 304b and defines a centerline. The laser line
generator 302 mounts within the passageway 306 such that the light emitted from the
laser line generator 302 is projected outwardly from the inner wall 304a. As such,
the centerline of the laser line generator 302 aligns with the centerline of the passageway
306. The housing 304 has a centerline 308 which extends through the housing 304 from
the inner wall 304a to the outer wall 304b. The passageway 306 is offset from the
centerline 308 such that the laser light generated by the laser line generator 302
can be used for 25.4 mm (1") tooling and for 19 mm (3/4") tooling. Thus, the laser
line generator 302 is offset 6.3 mm (1/4") from the centerline 308.
[0025] In use, the operator provides marks, such as three marks, on the outer diameter and
spaced apart around the circumference of the pipe P which indicates where the cutting
is to be performed by the cutting or machining tools 52.
[0026] The pipe machining apparatus 20 is mounted on the pipe P and the clamp members or
coupling members 68 are engaged with the exterior of the pipe P in an attempt to properly
locate the apparatus 20. Prior to insertion of the cutting or machining tool 52 into
the cavity 240, the laser line generator tool 300 is inserted into the cavity 240
such that the inner side 304c is proximate to the inner ends 206a, 208a of the inner
and outer housings 206, 208. The set screw 242 is engaged with the side wall 304d
of the housing 304 of the laser line generator tool 300 to secure the laser line generator
tool 300 to the tool support 48. The laser line generator tool 300 is activated to
cause a line to be imaged on the outer diameter of the pipe P. The line is parallel
to the end of the pipe P and aligns with a first mark made by the operator. The apparatus
20 is then rotated in a known manner to rotate the tool support 48 and laser line
generator tool 300 around the outer diameter of the pipe P. If the apparatus 20 is
properly positioned on the pipe P, the line imaged by the laser line generator tool
300 will overlay each mark. If the line imaged by the laser line generator tool 300
does not overlay one or more of the marks, then the operator knows that the position
of the apparatus 20 needs to be adjusted. Desired ones of clamp members or coupling
members 68 are adjusted to change the position of the apparatus relative to the pipe
P. After adjustment, the apparatus 20 is again rotated to determine if the line imaged
by the laser line generator tool 300 overlays each mark. This process is repeated
until the proper positioning of the apparatus 20 relative to the pipe P is achieved.
The laser line generator tool 300 can be positioned in the cavity 240 such that the
centerline of the laser line generator 302 is closer or further away from the end
of the pipe P, depending upon the orientation of the laser line generator tool 300
since the centerline of the laser line generator 302 is offset.
[0027] Once the proper position of the apparatus 20 relative to the pipe P is achieved,
the set screw 242 is rotated to disengage from the housing 304 of the laser line generator
tool 300 and the laser line generator tool 300 is slid out of the cavity 240. The
cutting or machining tool 52 is then inserted into the cavity 240 and secured by engaging
set screws 242, 246 with the cutting or machining tool 52.
[0028] During operation of the apparatus 20, the motor 44 rotates the pinion gear 40, which,
through engagement with the gear rack 56, causes the tool carrier 32 to rotate relative
to the frame 28 and the pipe P. During tool carrier rotation, the advancement member
84 contacts the advancement projections 80 and rotates as a result, thereby rotating
the worm gear assembly 108. Rotation of the feed screw 96 moves the tool clamp 100
and cutting or machining tool 52 toward the pipe P to perform deeper machining into
the pipe P. The cutting or machining tool 52 advances until the pipe P is machined
to a desired extent (e.g., until the pipe is completely cut or parted). After the
desired amount of machining is achieved, it may be desirable to retract the cutting
or machining tool 52 along the tool support 48 from the advanced cutting position.
This can be performed in a conventional manner.
[0029] While various embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it will be apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and implementations are
possible within the scope of the claims.
1. A pipe machining apparatus (20) comprising:
- a frame (28) capable of being mounted onto a pipe (P);
- a tool carrier (32) coupled to and movable relative to the frame (28);
- a tool support (48) coupled to and movable with the tool carrier (32) relative to
the frame (28); and
- a laser line generator tool (300) mounted on and movable with the tool support (48),
the laser line generator tool (300) capable of imaging a laser light onto the pipe
(P),
characterized in that
the laser line generator tool (300) comprises a housing (304) that defines a centerline
(308) and a laser line generator (302) that defines a centerline, the centerline of
the laser line generator being offset from the centerline of the housing.
2. The pipe machining apparatus (20) of claim 1,
wherein the laser line generator tool (300) is removably mounted on the tool support
(48).
3. The pipe machining apparatus (20) of claim 1 or 2,
wherein the tool support (48) is adapted to support a cutting or machining tool (52).
4. The pipe machining apparatus (20) of claim 3,
wherein the tool support (48) has a passageway (216) therethrough, and the cutting
or machining tool (52) and the laser line generator tool (300) are interchangeably
mounted in the passageway (216).
5. The pipe machining apparatus (20) of claim 1,
wherein the laser line generator tool (300) is offset 6,35 mm (1/4") from the centerline
(308) of the housing (304).
6. The pipe machining apparatus (20) of one of the preceding claims,
wherein the laser line generator tool (300) is fixed to the tool support (48) by a
set screw (242).
7. The pipe machining apparatus (20) of one of the preceding claims,
wherein the tool support (48) comprises an inner housing (206) and outer housing (208)
which can be detached from each other, the inner and outer housing (208) forming a
passageway (216) into which the laser line generator tool (300) is mounted.
8. The pipe (P) machining apparatus (20) of claim 7,
wherein the cutting or machining tool (52) and the laser line generator tool (300)
are interchangeably mounted in the passageway (216).
9. A method of mounting a pipe machining apparatus (20) comprising:
- marking the pipe (P) with a mark to delineate a cut line around the pipe (P);
- mounting a frame (28) onto a pipe (P) in a first position to generally align with
the mark;
- activating a laser light which is mounted on the frame (28) to image a laser light
onto the pipe (P) to align with the mark; and
- rotating the activated laser light relative to the frame (28), characterized by
- repositioning the frame (28) into a new position relative to the pipe (P), the new
position being different than the first position,
- removing the laser light from the frame (28) when the frame (28) is in the new position;
- engaging a cutting tool (52) with the frame (28); and
- using the cutting tool (52) to cut the pipe (P).
10. The method of claim 9,
wherein the frame (28) can be repositioned several times into a new position.
11. The method of claim 9,
wherein the pipe (P) is marked with a plurality of marks, and the laser light is activated
to image the laser light onto one of the marks, the laser light remains activated
upon rotation to image the laser light around the pipe (P).
12. The method of claim 11,
further comprising repositioning the frame (28) into a new position relative to the
pipe (P), the new position being different than the first position.
13. The method of claim 12,
further comprising cutting the pipe (P) when the frame (28) is in the new position.
14. The method of claim 12 or 13,
wherein the frame (28) can be repositioned several times into a new position.
1. Rohrbearbeitungsvorrichtung (20), die Folgendes umfasst:
- einen Rahmen (28), der an einem Rohr (P) montierbar ist;
- einen Werkzeugträger (32), der an den Rahmen (28) gekoppelt und relativ zum Rahmen
bewegbar ist;
- einen Werkzeughalter (48), der an den Werkzeugträger (32) gekoppelt und mit dem
Werkzeugträger relativ zum Rahmen (28) bewegbar ist; und
- ein Laserliniengeneratorwerkzeug (300), das am Werkzeughalter (48) montiert und
mit dem Werkzeughalter bewegbar ist, wobei das Laserliniengeneratorwerkzeug (300)
ein Laserlicht auf dem Rohr (P) abbilden kann,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Laserliniengeneratorwerkzeug (300) ein Gehäuse (304), das eine Mittellinie (308)
definiert, und einen Laserliniengenerator (302), der eine Mittellinie definiert, umfasst,
wobei die Mittellinie des Laserliniengenerators von der Mittellinie des Gehäuses versetzt
ist.
2. Rohrbearbeitungsvorrichtung (20) nach Anspruch 1,
wobei das Laserliniengeneratorwerkzeug (300) entfernbar am Werkzeughalter (48) montiert
ist.
3. Rohrbearbeitungsvorrichtung (20) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
wobei der Werkzeughalter (48) so angepasst ist, dass er ein Schneid- oder Bearbeitungswerkzeug
(52) hält.
4. Rohrbearbeitungsvorrichtung (20) nach Anspruch 3,
wobei der Werkzeughalter (48) einen Durchgang (216) aufweist und das Schneid- oder
Bearbeitungswerkzeug (52) und das Laserliniengeneratorwerkzeug (300) austauschbar
im Durchgang (216) montiert sind.
5. Rohrbearbeitungsvorrichtung (20) nach Anspruch 1,
wobei das Laserliniengeneratorwerkzeug (300) um 6,35 mm (1/4'') von der Mittellinie
(308) des Gehäuses (304) versetzt ist.
6. Rohrbearbeitungsvorrichtung (20) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
wobei das Laserliniengeneratorwerkzeug (300) durch eine Stellschraube (242) am Werkzeughalter
(48) befestigt ist.
7. Rohrbearbeitungsvorrichtung (20) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
wobei der Werkzeughalter (48) ein Innengehäuse (206) und ein Außengehäuse (208), die
voneinander gelöst werden können, umfasst, wobei das Innengehäuse und das Außengehäuse
(208) einen Durchgang (216), in dem das Laserliniengeneratorwerkzeug (300) montiert
wird, bilden.
8. Rohr(P)-Bearbeitungsvorrichtung (20) nach Anspruch 7,
wobei das Schneid- oder Bearbeitungswerkzeug (52) und das Laserliniengeneratorwerkzeug
(300) austauschbar im Durchgang (216) montiert sind.
9. Verfahren zum Montieren einer Rohrbearbeitungsvorrichtung (20), das Folgendes umfasst:
- Markieren des Rohrs (P) mit einer Markierung, um eine Schnittlinie um das Rohr (P)
herum anzuzeigen;
- Montieren eines Rahmens (28) an einem Rohr (P) in einer ersten Position zur allgemeinen
Ausrichtung an der Markierung;
- Aktivieren eines Laserlichts, das am Rahmen (28) montiert wird, um ein Laserlicht
auf dem Rohr (P) zur Ausrichtung an der Markierung abzubilden; und
- Drehen des aktivierten Laserlichts relativ zum Rahmen (28),
gekennzeichnet durch
- Umpositionieren des Rahmens (28) in eine neue Position relativ zum Rohr (P), wobei
die neue Position eine andere Position als die erste Position ist,
- Entfernen des Laserlichts vom Rahmen (28), sobald der Rahmen (28) in der neuen Position
ist;
- In-Eingriff-Bringen eines Schneidwerkzeugs (52) mit dem Rahmen (28); und
- Verwenden des Schneidwerkzeugs (52) zum Schneiden des Rohrs (P).
10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9,
wobei der Rahmen (28) mehrmals in eine neue Position umpositioniert werden kann.
11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9,
wobei das Rohr (P) mit einer Vielzahl von Markierungen markiert ist, das Laserlicht
zur Abbildung des Laserlichts auf einer der Markierungen aktiviert wird und das Laserlicht
bei Drehungen zur Abbildung des Laserlichts um das Rohr (P) herum aktiviert bleibt.
12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11,
das ferner Umpositionieren des Rahmens (28) in eine neue Position relativ zum Rohr
(P) umfasst, wobei die neue Position eine andere Position als die erste Position ist.
13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12,
das ferner Schneiden des Rohrs (P), wenn der Rahmen (28) in der neuen Position ist,
umfasst.
14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12 oder 13,
wobei der Rahmen (28) mehrmals in eine neue Position umpositioniert werden kann.
1. Appareil d'usinage de tubes (20) comprenant :
- un cadre (28) pouvant être monté sur un tube (P) ;
- un porte-outil (32) couplé et mobile par rapport au cadre (28) ;
- un support d'outil (48) couplé au et mobile avec le porte-outil (32) par rapport
au cadre (28) ; et
- un outil générateur de ligne laser (300) monté sur et mobile avec le support d'outil
(48), l'outil générateur de ligne laser (300) étant capable de former une image d'une
lumière laser sur le tube (P),
caractérisé en ce que
l'outil générateur de ligne laser (300) comprend un boîtier (304) qui définit une
ligne centrale (308) et un générateur de ligne laser (302) qui définit une ligne centrale,
la ligne centrale du générateur de ligne laser étant décalée par rapport à la ligne
centrale du boîtier.
2. Appareil d'usinage de tubes (20) selon la revendication 1, l'outil générateur de ligne
laser (300) étant monté de manière amovible sur le support d'outil (48).
3. Appareil d'usinage de tubes (20) selon la revendication 1 ou 2,
le support d'outil (48) étant adapté pour supporter un outil de coupe ou d'usinage
(52).
4. Appareil d'usinage de tubes (20) selon la revendication 3, le support d'outil (48)
ayant un passage (216) à travers celui-ci, et l'outil de coupe ou d'usinage (52),
et l'outil générateur de ligne laser (300) étant montés de manière interchangeable
dans le passage (216).
5. Appareil d'usinage de tubes (20) selon la revendication 1, l'outil générateur de ligne
laser (300) étant décalé de 6,35 mm (1/4") par rapport à la ligne centrale (308) du
boîtier (304).
6. Appareil d'usinage de tubes (20) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, l'outil
générateur de ligne laser (300) étant fixé au support d'outil (48) par une vis de
réglage (242).
7. Appareil d'usinage de tubes (20) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, le support
d'outil (48) comprenant un boîtier intérieur (206) et un boîtier extérieur (208) qui
peuvent être détachés l'un de l'autre, le boîtier intérieur et le boîtier extérieur
(208) formant un passage (216) dans lequel l'outil générateur de ligne laser (300)
est monté.
8. Appareil d'usinage (20) de tubes (P) selon la revendication 7, l'outil de coupe ou
d'usinage (52) et l'outil générateur de ligne laser (300) étant montés de manière
interchangeable dans le passage (216).
9. Procédé de montage d'un appareil d'usinage de tubes (20) comprenant :
- le marquage du tube (P) avec une marque pour délimiter une ligne de coupe autour
du tube (P) ;
- le montage d'un cadre (28) sur un tube (P) dans une première position pour s'aligner
généralement avec la marque ;
- l'activation d'une lumière laser qui est montée sur le cadre (28) pour former une
image d'une lumière laser sur le tube (P) afin de l'aligner avec la marque ; et
- la rotation de la lumière laser activée par rapport au cadre (28), caractérisée par
- le repositionnement du cadre (28) dans une nouvelle position par rapport au tube
(P), la nouvelle position étant différente de la première position,
- le retrait de la lumière laser du cadre (28) lorsque le cadre (28) est dans la nouvelle
position ;
- l'engagement d'un outil de coupe (52) avec le cadre (28) ; et
- l'utilisation de l'outil de coupe (52) pour couper le tube (P).
10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, le cadre (28) pouvant être repositionné plusieurs
fois dans une nouvelle position.
11. Procédé selon la revendication 9, le tube (P) étant marqué d'une pluralité de marques,
et la lumière laser étant activée pour former une image de la lumière laser sur l'une
des marques, la lumière laser restant activée par rotation pour former une image de
la lumière laser autour du tube (P).
12. Procédé selon la revendication 11, comprenant en outre le repositionnement du cadre
(28) dans une nouvelle position par rapport au tube (P), la nouvelle position étant
différente de la première position.
13. Procédé selon la revendication 12, comprenant en outre la coupe du tube (P) lorsque
le cadre (28) est dans la nouvelle position.
14. Procédé selon la revendication 12 ou 13, le cadre (28) pouvant être repositionné plusieurs
fois dans une nouvelle position.